Description

Northerly Island is a 91- acre peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan at the heart of the Museum Campus. It is located just south of the Adler Planetarium and east of Soldier Field. The majority of this space is dedicated to nature! The nature area at Northerly Island features beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline. It is also home to some of the best fishing in Chicago.

During the winter and early spring (November - April), the Northerly Island fieldhouse is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm. The rest of the year, the fieldhouse is open daily, from 9am to 5pm. When the fieldhouse is open, staff is available to answer questions about the island and provide information on a discovery tour.

The FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is located at the northern end of the island. The 2013 season brought a variety of improvements and expansions to this popular lakefront facility, including an upgraded stage, expanded state-of-the-art sound and lights, new seating and more grassy space throughout the venue. The newly redeveloped lawn now allows for flexible capacity up to 30,000 patrons while still offering sweeping panoramic views of Chicago’s lakefront. Since its opening night featuring Earth, Wind and Fire in 2007, FirstMerit Bank Pavilion has brought a wealth of talent to the beautiful park-like setting of Northerly Island. Check out the 2014 schedule and purchase tickets at LiveNation.com.

History

Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks. His vision for this park included lagoons, harbors, beaches, recreation areas, a scenic drive and grand stretches of green space that would provide breathtaking views of the lake and City skyline. Northerly Island and Burnham Park were selected as the site of Chicago's second World's Fair entitled A Century of Progress, 1933-34, and by the early 1930s, Northerly Island had been increased to its present size. In 1938, the Chicago Park District removed the bridge leading to Northerly Island and built a causeway connecting the island to Burnham Park. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Northerly Island featured paths and walkways, scattered trees and grass, a parking lot and the 12th Street Beach. In 1947, a small airport known as Meigs Field opened under the Exposition Authority Act. Operations at Meigs expanded with the building of an air control tower in 1952. The 50-year lease granted by the park district for Meigs Field expired on September 30, 1996. The City, Park District, and numerous civic organizations agreed that the airport should revert to parkland. Today, Daniel Burnham’s vision is now a reality. With wild prairie grasses taking root, beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas, and a spectacular view of the City skyline, we invite you to come out and enjoy the emerging world of Northerly Island.

Summer Programs

See our offerings in the Summer tab below. The standard 6-week day camp runs June 29 - August 7. Specialty camp dates vary. Most other programs start the week of June 15 and run through the week of August 17. Registration is on-going while spots are available.

Fall Programs

Fall programs start the week of September 14 and run through the week of November 30.
View programs online beginning Monday, July 20. Registration dates for our park are:

Online registration begins on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 9:00am.

In-person registration begins on Monday, August 10, 2015.

Click on the program name links below for program descriptions, availability information and to register online now (if available).

2015/08/10 15:00From August 10, 2015 to August 14, 2015Each Monday from 10am to 2pmEach Tuesday from 10am to 2pmEach Wednesday from 10am to 2pmEach Thursday from 10am to 2pmEach Friday from 10am to 2pm

2015/06/29 20:00From June 29, 2015 to August 7, 2015Each Monday from 3pm to 5pmEach Tuesday from 3pm to 5pmEach Wednesday from 3pm to 5pmEach Thursday from 3pm to 5pmEach Friday from 3pm to 5pm Except the following dates: Friday, July 31, 2015

Enjoy Winter fun at the Chicago Park District's Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. These fun filled days feature arts and crafts, snow shoeing and close encounters with Siberian Huskies and other wildlife. Admission is free!

The Chicago Park District's Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. These fun filled days feature arts and crafts, snow shoeing and close encounters with Siberian Huskies and other wildlife. Admission is free

Come out and enjoy Winter fun at the Chicago Park District's Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. These fun filled days feature arts and crafts, snow shoeing and close encounters with Siberian Huskies and other wildlife. Admission is free.

Bicycle Adventure Camp at Northerly Island is a 6-week Chicago Park District summer day camp where children ages 12-14 learn bicycle mechanics, bike riding and environmental stewardship and responsibility. Campers will learn new skills such as fixing flat tires, adjusting brakes, cables, derailleur and housing. They will build c

Northerly Island is one of the most scenic areas along the lakefront. A new plan is in place to restore even more natural habitats, and create a better space for residents to enjoy walking, running, and camping.

Reviews

Description

Northerly Island is a 91- acre peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan at the heart of the Museum Campus. It is located just south of the Adler Planetarium and east of Soldier Field. The majority of this space is dedicated to nature! The nature area at Northerly Island features beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline. It is also home to some of the best fishing in Chicago.

During the winter and early spring (November - April), the Northerly Island fieldhouse is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm. The rest of the year, the fieldhouse is open daily, from 9am to 5pm. When the fieldhouse is open, staff is available to answer questions about the island and provide information on a discovery tour.

The FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is located at the northern end of the island. The 2013 season brought a variety of improvements and expansions to this popular lakefront facility, including an upgraded stage, expanded state-of-the-art sound and lights, new seating and more grassy space throughout the venue. The newly redeveloped lawn now allows for flexible capacity up to 30,000 patrons while still offering sweeping panoramic views of Chicago’s lakefront. Since its opening night featuring Earth, Wind and Fire in 2007, FirstMerit Bank Pavilion has brought a wealth of talent to the beautiful park-like setting of Northerly Island. Check out the 2014 schedule and purchase tickets at LiveNation.com.

Chicago's famous architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham imagined Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands stretching between Grant and Jackson Parks. His vision for this park included lagoons, harbors, beaches, recreation areas, a scenic drive and grand stretches of green space that would provide breathtaking views of the lake and City skyline. Northerly Island and Burnham Park were selected as the site of Chicago's second World's Fair entitled A Century of Progress, 1933-34, and by the early 1930s, Northerly Island had been increased to its present size. In 1938, the Chicago Park District removed the bridge leading to Northerly Island and built a causeway connecting the island to Burnham Park. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Northerly Island featured paths and walkways, scattered trees and grass, a parking lot and the 12th Street Beach. In 1947, a small airport known as Meigs Field opened under the Exposition Authority Act. Operations at Meigs expanded with the building of an air control tower in 1952. The 50-year lease granted by the park district for Meigs Field expired on September 30, 1996. The City, Park District, and numerous civic organizations agreed that the airport should revert to parkland. Today, Daniel Burnham’s vision is now a reality. With wild prairie grasses taking root, beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas, and a spectacular view of the City skyline, we invite you to come out and enjoy the emerging world of Northerly Island.

The Chicago Park District is the largest municipal park manager in the nation and owner of more than 8,100 acres of green space. We invite you to take in a concert or a movie at one of our 580 parks, to expand your horizons by registering for one of our thousands of programs offered throughout our 260 field houses, to get a great workout indoors at one of our state-of-the-art fitness centers, or outdoors along Lake Michigan’s 26 miles of pristine lakefront, or enjoy nature with a peaceful visit.